Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Columbus, OH
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Registered Nurse – PCU (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 16 weeks

Job Overview

• Work primarily in a corrections health unit with a locked environment controlled by Corrections Officers (CO).
• Float between Oncology Medical-Surgical (MS) units and Progressive Care Unit (PCU) as needed.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3 in PCU, 1:4-5 in MS.
• CO-to-inmate ratio: 1:2.
• Shifts include nights (3x12 hours, 19:00–7:30) with possible rotation to days or combination shifts every 4 weeks based on staffing needs. Weekend shifts vary by unit.
• EPIC charting experience is required. Oncology experience preferred but not mandatory.
• Medication system used: Pyxis.

Patient Population & Care Focus

• Patients include those with active oncology diagnoses (solid tumors, hematology), oncology workup admissions, history of cancer admitted for other reasons, and non-oncology diagnoses such as COPD, sepsis, pneumonia, abnormal labs, and surgical procedures.
• Care involves Medical-Surgical and Telemetry skills.

Clinical Skills & Competencies

• Cardiac monitoring and dysrhythmia interpretation/management.
• Unit-based telemetry monitoring.
• IV insulin protocols (endocrine/metabolic).
• Feeding tube care and management (gastrointestinal).
• Pre/post hemodialysis and renal failure management (genitourinary/renal).
• IV therapy and phlebotomy: blood product administration, central/peripheral line and PICC line care, starting IVs.
• Medication management including heparin protocols, cardiac drips (no titration), and PCA.
• Respiratory care: external CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), ABG interpretation, oxygen delivery devices, non-invasive airway management, and tracheostomy care.

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license valid in Ohio.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA Instructor/Provider or RQI accepted; letter of completion not accepted).
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually.
• Additional certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., ACLS for certain units starting 11/13/25).
• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• State license verification and NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting with specific Ohio codes. Fingerprinting must be current within 1 year of start; new fingerprinting required if break in service exceeds 90 days.
• Monthly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Education accreditation confirmation required for nursing degree from accredited programs (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending at start.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug test within 3 months of start (no pending drug screens allowed).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • TB questionnaire in lieu of annual TB test
  • MMR (2 vaccines or positive titers for measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer; medical exemptions require documentation)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1–3/31) with mask requirement if declined
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.
• Annual acknowledgment of dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, compliance policies, and safety manual.
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.

Work Environment

• Secure corrections unit with controlled access.
• Collaboration with multiple provider support services including pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology, respiratory services, social services, and rapid response teams.
• Emphasis on staff safety in a corrections environment.

Summary

This travel RN position requires strong Medical-Surgical and Telemetry nursing skills, experience or willingness to work in a secure corrections health environment, and proficiency with EPIC charting. Candidates must meet comprehensive background, licensing, certification, and health requirements to comply with facility and state regulations. The role offers varied shifts with a focus on patient safety and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Ohio
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• Experience in Medical-Surgical and Telemetry nursing
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)